Energy distribution network

Abstract

A hydrogen energy system for a facility that is disposed off-board a vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen generator disposed at the facility for generating hydrogen by water electrolysis, a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing at least some of the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator, and a controller having a computer processor for receiving and processing certain control inputs. The controller is operatively connected to the hydrogen generator for controlling the generation of hydrogen based on the control inputs.

1. A hydrogen energy system for a facility that is disposed off-board a vehicle comprising:
 a hydrogen generator disposed at said facility for generating hydrogen by separating hydrogen from oxygen in water using electrical energy received from at least one external source of electrical energy; 
 a hydrogen storage apparatus disposed at said facility for storing at least some of the hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator; and 
 a controller having a computer processor for receiving and processing control inputs, said control inputs including real time data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and data concerning one or more demands for hydrogen by one or more hydrogen users, said controller being operatively connected to said hydrogen generator for controlling the generation of hydrogen based at least upon said real time data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and said data concerning one or more demands for hydrogen by one or more hydrogen users. 
 
     
     
       2. A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said control inputs further include stored data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and wherein said controller controls the generation of hydrogen based upon said control inputs including said stored data concerning the price of electrical energy. 
     
     
       3. A system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy. 
     
     
       4. A system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein electrical energy for said at least one non-grid source of electrical energy is generated from at least one primary energy resource. 
     
     
       5. A system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said at least one primary energy resource includes renewable resources. 
     
     
       6. A system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said renewable resources include at least one of wind, solar, nuclear and hydro. 
     
     
       7. A system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said primary energy resources include at least one of the following: fossil fuels, wind, solar, nuclear and hydro. 
     
     
       8. A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said control inputs further include data concerning said hydrogen storage apparatus. 
     
     
       9. A system as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a hydrogen conversion device disposed at said facility for receiving hydrogen from said hydrogen storage apparatus and converting said hydrogen into electricity. 
     
     
       10. A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said controller modulates the generation of electricity by said hydrogen conversion device. 
     
     
       11. A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein at least some of said electricity generated by said hydrogen conversion device is transmitted to an electricity grid. 
     
     
       12. A system according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.